- 11/10/2013
- Posted by: Ken Skates MS
- Category: News
A GROUP of GCSE students got the opportunity to quiz their local Assembly Member and MP during a question and answer session.
Clwyd South AM Ken Skates and MP Susan Elan Jones MP visited Ysgol Rhiwabon on Friday morning (October 11) to take part in the session, during which they discussed a variety of topics including their own school days, how they got in to politics and their day-to-day roles.
Mr Skates said: “Events like this are a great way for us to meet young people in our constituency and engage with them. Politics have an impact on everyone’s life so it’s never too early for students to get a good understanding of what their AM and MP do and how we represent them, and there’s no better way than for them to put us on the spot!
“The pupils posed some very interesting questions and I was really impressed by how keen they were to get involved. I hope they enjoyed the morning as much as I did.”
When asked what he hoped to achieve in politics, Mr Skates said he wanted to provide ‘life-changing opportunities for young people’.
Ms Jones added: “I think it’s important that young people understand democracy from an early age and I was delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this event with Year 10 pupils and to give them the chance to learn more about what their elected representatives do. The children at Ysgol Rhiwabon are always very receptive and once again made us feel very welcome.”
Headteacher Alun Harding said: “I was delighted that both Ken and Susan were able to take time out of their busy schedules to come in. Our students had already had the opportunity to interview a local councillor and it was a fantastic opportunity to discover much more about the inner workings of Westminster and the National Assembly.”
Mr Skates also congratulated the school being awarded the Prince’s Teaching Institute Mark recently for its work in English, history, maths and languages.
He said: “The Prince’s Teaching Institute Mark is much-coveted recognition of a school’s hard work, continued improvement and quality of teaching, and this is a very welcome badge of honour for Ysgol Rhiwabon.
“Myself and First Minister Carwyn Jones visited the school earlier this year, and I know he was impressed with what he saw. The whole school community should be very proud of this accreditation, and I look forward to celebrating its continued success in the future.”
